The POW, the PIX, the PEOPLE.
Go BIG, or Go Home.
February 17, 2015 Who doesn't love to laugh.
Every year the Aspen Laff Fest brings tons of yucks to The Wheeler Opera House. Feb 19-21
CLICK 4 TIX ASPEN LAFF FEST 2015
HippieMan is funny. Aspen Laff Festival Feb 19-21.
February 15, 2015 
In it's third year LIGHT it UP BLUE Aspen has earned it's spot in the pantheon of amazing Aspen events. The Light it Up Blue bash benefits Autism Speaks and Ascendigo (formerly Extreme Sports Camps). In 3 short years LIUB as become a big blue highlight on the jam-packed Aspen social scene.
Click 4 Pix: ASPEN's BIG BLUE
LIUB Aspen was hosted by Dr. Jennifer Berman from TV's The Doctors and Johnny Moseley Olympic Gold Medal winning freestyle skier and included music from Project M out of L.A. The rowdy live auction raised plenty of gelt.
The Aspen ladies always look striking in Blue and LIUB Aspen proves it every year. Decked out in cocktail attire the fully VIP crowd dined on a sumptuous selection of vittles. The seafood tower is always a fan favorite. Lobbys, oysters, huge crab legs ...lets just say A. Party hit it early and often. Most of the revelers headed straight for the open bar as the good times started immediately.
The name change from Extreme Sports Camps to Ascendigo is an interesting choice. Maybe its a tax thing? I for one, actually read the program which explained the logic behind Ascendigo. The new name does not change the fact that the organization still provides experiential and community based learning that has an extremely positive impact on the lives of those with autism. I was excited to learn about "The Yellow House" in Carbondale which houses several young adults who live with autism. Autism now effects 1 in 68 children which is a striking fact. It is the fastest growing childhood disability. So HUGE thanks to those who contributed and partied with a purpose. Click to learn more about Ascendigo/Extreme sports Camp. and Autism Speaks.
In consultation with Dr. Berman...and I concur. Light it Up Blue Aspen is the real deal. Get your tix for next year because this party is getting bigger, better and bluer.
CLICK 4 PIX: ASPEN's BIG BLUE
February 14, 2015 By every measure the 2015 FIS Alpine World Ski Championships was an astounding success.
Bode crashed, Travis Ganong ripped, Lindsey cried and in the end Ted three-peated and Mikaela repeated as World Champions. Word leaked out of the Vail Valley to Aspen that the hospitality tents, the party scene and the free music were off the charts. "Amazing" cooed a well known party girl from Aspen.
CLICK to SEE ALL the RESULTS:
2015 ALPINE WORLD SKI CHAMPIONSHIPS.
Ted Ligety shreds to a repeat GOLD in the GS. Courtesy Photo
Mikaela Shiffrin lived up to the hype....again!! Repeat World Champ in slalom. Courtesy photo.
February 10, 2015 BIGGER,BETTER, BLUER. LIGHT IT UP BLUE ASPEN, 2015
The Party of the Year to support Autism Speaks and Aspen Extreme Sports Camp
Sunday Feb. 15.
Click 4 Tix: LIGHT IT UP BLUE
February 3, 2015 
Every year, during the last weekend in January, the entire ski and snowboard industry shows up in Denver for the SIA SNOW SHOW. SIA...the Snowsports Industries of America, hosts the biggest and rowdiest trade show in the U.S. snowsports industry. It's the one place where all the bro's get together to make deals, reunite and party their a$$es off.
Click 4 Pix: SIA 2015
It's more than just a convention...it's a life-style. And it's BIG fun.
All the best and newest ski and snowboard brands show off next years goods. The retailers see it, feel it and order it up to solidify their line-ups for the 2015-16 ski season.
A few observations from the show:
1) Business is good. The economy is back and retailers are planning as such. Order flow appears to be very strong for 2015-16.
2) Not much has changed. Sure the colors are different and there are always some new design elements with the hard goods, but the ski and snowboard industry seems a little stagnant. But this is old news.
3) Bro's like to party. The party scene at SIA 2015 was as strong as ever. Maybe stronger.
4) Musical chairs continue. It's the same people doing the same things... they are just doing it with a different brands this year. Once you are established in the ski industry it tough to get out. It's the Hotel California of career paths.
5) Climate Change is on everyone's mind. The ski industry is finally coming around to the fact that climate change may have an irreparable impact on future business. Non-profits such as Protect Our Winters (POW) and Save Our Snow (SOS) were prominent with their outreach efforts throughout the convention.
6) The baby boomers are aging out and the millenials seem to be more interested in video gaming and social media than skiing and snowboarding. This does not bode well for future growth. Resorts and brands are begining to plan accordingly.
7) Denver has soooooo many recreational cannabis shops...it's unbelievable.
CLICK FOR PIX SIA 2015
